§ 47. Mr. McMasterasked the Secretary of State for Defence which British shipbuilding yards are being invited to tender for new naval construction orders; and on what basis work is allocated.
§ Mr. John MorrisTenders for new warships are invited from those of the seven British warship builders who are capable of building to time the particular ship concerned. For other new naval ships tenders are also invited from suitable merchant ship builders. Orders are allocated on the merits of the tenders received.
§ Mr. McMasterWill the hon. Gentleman give an assurance that, in spite of Ministerial statements to the contrary, the Clyde shipyards are in no particularly favourable position as compared with others in the country?
§ Mr. MorrisThere is no preference. The seven yards are well known and 406 they are invited to compete for the class of job they can carry out.